Abstract:

An apparatus for obtaining beverages by infusion comprises an indicating
device arranged for indicating that a preset infusion time interval has
passed; a method for obtaining beverages by infusion comprises imbibing
with water at a desired temperature a dose of a substance or of a mixture
of substances from which beverages have to be obtained, and indicating
the duration of the infusion through a suitable indicating device
indicating that a preset infusion time interval has passed; a timing
device is provided with a hooking element arranged for hooking said
timing device to an apparatus for preparing beverages by infusion.

Claims:

1-136. (canceled)

137. Apparatus for obtaining beverages by infusion comprising at least one
indicating device arranged for indicating that a preset infusion time has
passed.

138. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said at least one
indicating device comprises a regulating device) arranged for regulating
the infusion time.

139. Apparatus according to claim 138, wherein said regulating device can
be suitably regulated and programmed by a user.

140. Apparatus according to claim 138, wherein said regulating device
comprises a switch arranged for alternately activating and/or
deactivating said regulating device so as to automatically regulate the
infusion time.

141. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said indicating device
comprises a sensing device arranged for sensing a certain parameter and
for automatically activating said indicating device.

142. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one temperature sensor sensing the temperature in said
apparatus and activating said indicating device.

143. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one level sensor sensing the level of the liquid in
said apparatus and activating said indicating device.

144. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one calorimetric sensor sensing the colour of the
liquid in said apparatus and activating said indicating device.

145. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one transmittance sensor suitable for sensing the
transmittance of the liquid in said apparatus and for activating said
indicating device.

146. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one conductibility sensor for sensing the
conductibility of the liquid in said apparatus and activating said
indicating device.

147. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one sensor suitable for sensing the concentration of
solutes present in the liquid in said apparatus and for activating said
indicating device.

148. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said indicating device
comprises at least one warning element arranged for warning a user that a
preset value of a parameter has been reached in the liquid in a container
of the apparatus.

149. Apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said sensing device
comprises at least one further warning element suitable for warning a
user that a preset value of a parameter has been reached in the liquid in
a container of the apparatus.

150. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said indicating device
comprises at least one warning element arranged for warning a user that a
preset infusion time has been reached.

151. Apparatus according to claim 148, wherein said at least one warning
element comprises a sound warning element emitting a sound signal for
warning the user.

152. Apparatus according to claim 148, wherein said at least one warning
element comprises a light warning element emitting a light signal for
warning the user.

153. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said indicating device
comprises a hooking element arranged for movably hooking said indicating
device to said apparatus.

154. Apparatus according to claim 153, wherein said hooking element is
selected in a group comprising: a Velcro hooking device, tongs, pliers,
elastic band, magnets.

155. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said indicating device
comprises a first device portion stably fixed to said apparatus, and a
second device portion that can be movably associated to said first device
portion.

156. Apparatus according to claim 137, wherein said apparatus is a coffee
maker of the type known as "French Press".

161. Apparatus according to claim 137 and further comprising a heating
device arranged for heating the content in a container of the apparatus.

162. Apparatus according to claim 137, and further comprising a connecting
element for connecting said apparatus to a base arranged for receiving
said apparatus.

163. Apparatus according to claim 162, wherein said base comprises a
heating device arranged for heating the content in a container of the
apparatus.

164. Apparatus according to claim 162, wherein said base comprises a
controlling arrangement arranged for controlling the functioning of the
apparatus.

165. Apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said controlling
arrangement comprises at least one indicating device arranged for
indicating a value of a desired functioning parameter of said apparatus.

166. Apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said controlling
arrangement further comprises a temperature controlling device for
controlling the temperature in a container of the apparatus.

167. Apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said controlling
arrangement further comprises a temperature indicating device for
indicating the temperature in a container of the apparatus.

168. Apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said controlling
arrangement further comprises a time indicating device for indicating the
infusion time in a container of the apparatus.

169. Apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said controlling
arrangement further comprises a frothing controlling device for
controlling a frothing device for frothing the content in a container for
producing foam.

170. Method for obtaining beverages by infusion comprising imbibing a dose
of a substance or of a mixture of substances from which said beverages
have to be obtained with hot water at a desired temperature, and
indicating the duration of the infusion by means of suitable indicating
device indicating that a preset infusion time has passed.

171. Timing device provided with a hooking element arranged for hooking
said timing device to an apparatus for preparing beverages by infusion.

172. A base comprising a connecting element for connecting said base to a
container for preparing beverages by infusion and a heating device for
heating a content of said container.

Description:

[0001]This application is a continuation of PCT International Application
No. PCT/EP2006/062742 filed May 30, 2006. PCT/EP2006/062742 claims
priority to IT Application No. M02005A000140 filed Jun. 3, 2005. The
entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]The invention relates to improved methods and apparatuses for
obtaining various kind of infusions.

[0003]It is very common to prepare beverages by infusion both for the wide
kinds of beverages that can be prepared and for the simplicity of the
preparation of such beverages.

[0004]With this method tea-, or coffee-based beverages, or infusions of
herbs, flowers, fruits, or of phytotherapic mixtures can be prepared,
i.e. can be prepared beverages having features even very different from
one another.

[0005]Beverages obtained by infusion not always have the features required
by a user thereof, for instances, coffee and/or tea beverages can be too
strong or too little strong, i.e. too much or too little rich in
caffeine/theine and/or in other aromatic substances.

[0006]Furthermore, could be obtained beverages having not good
organoleptic features, and which can be not pleasant for the user.

[0007]Too strong or too little strong coffee and/or tea beverages can have
undesired effect to the user that recognise the actual features of the
prepared beverage only at the moment of the tasting of the beverage, or
even at the moment in which the user feels such effects on himself.

[0008]This become even more important in the case in which the beverages
obtained by infusion are phytotherapic preparations, since incorrectly
preparing such a beverage implies that the beverage is devoid of the
active principles that the user thought to find therein and to take with
the beverage, and implies also that such beverages have no beneficial
effect on the organism of the user.

[0009]This problem becomes even more important because spreads more and
more the use of phytotherapic beverages for treating different diseases,
for example diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory,
cardio-circulatory system, sleep disorders, etc.

[0010]Furthermore a user does not usually have the criteria for evaluating
the features of the prepared beverage before tasting it, in fact the
decision of considering a beverage ready for being tasted is based on
considerations due to the appearance of the obtained beverage, and in
particular on the colour thereof.

[0011]This implies that the real organoleptic features of the beverage
and/or the actual presence in the beverage of the desired active
principles can not be evaluated, since the colour of the beverage greatly
depends on the particular infused substances and can thus lead the user
to erroneous considerations.

[0012]In addition, certain kinds of apparatuses for preparing beverages by
infusion are provided with a non-transparent container arranged for
receiving the prepared beverage, therefore also it is not possible to
make the appearance's based valuations for considering the beverage ready
unless by opening the apparatus, therefore such valuations are made
basing on personal, irreproducible, and unreliable considerations made by
the user.

[0013]An object of the invention is to improve apparatuses and methods for
obtaining beverages by infusion.

[0014]Another object is to obtain apparatuses and methods for obtaining
beverages by infusion, such as coffee and/or tea beverages, infusions of
herbs, and/or of flowers, decoctions, allowing beverages having great
organoleptic features to be obtained.

[0015]Still another object is to provide simple and economic apparatuses
allowing a coffee beverage having great organoleptic features to be
obtained.

[0016]Still another object is to obtain apparatuses and methods for
obtaining beverages by infusion allowing beverages with preset properties
and desired effects on an organism of a user to be obtained.

[0017]Still another object is to obtain apparatuses and methods for
obtaining beverages by infusion allowing to a user to choose on his
liking, and to change, from time to time according his particular
desires, the final features of the obtained beverages, and thus the
effects of such beverages on his organism.

[0018]In a first aspect of the invention, it is provided an apparatus for
obtaining beverages by infusion comprising an indicating device arranged
for indicating that a fixed infusion time has passed.

[0019]The indicating device can be properly regulated and programmed by a
user.

[0020]The indicating device can be properly programmed by a user for
regulating the infusion time.

[0021]In a version, said indicating device comprises a switch arranged for
activating/deactivating said device so as to automatically regulate the
infusion time.

[0022]In another version, said indicating device comprises sensing devices
arranged for sensing a fixed parameter and for automatically
activating/deactivating said indicating device.

[0023]Said sensing devices may comprise temperature sensors sensing the
temperature of said apparatus and/or level sensors sensing the level of
the liquid in said apparatus, and/or colorimetrical sensors sensing the
coloration of the obtained beverage in said apparatus, for example by
means of transmittance sensing, and/or conductibility sensors, or still
other sensors arranged for sensing desired parameters of the obtained
beverage bound to the particular solutes present in the beverage and to
their concentration. The sensors are suitable for automatically
activating said indicating device in consequence of the actual sensed
value of the parameter.

[0024]In a further version, said indicating device comprises warning
elements arranged for warning a user that the expected infusion time has
been reached.

[0026]In another version, said indicating device comprises a hooking
element arranged for movably hooking said indicating device to said
apparatus.

[0027]In a still another version, said indicating device comprises a first
device portion rigidly fixed to the apparatus, and a second device
portion that can be movably associated to said first device portion.

[0028]In a still another version, it is also provided a frothing device
arranged for frothing the obtained beverage.

[0029]In a further version, it is also provided a heating device for
heating the water in the apparatus.

[0030]Preferably, the heating device can be provided with a temperature
regulating device for regulating the temperature of the water in the
apparatus.

[0031]In this way, it is possible to heat the water in the apparatus to
the desired temperature, and to pour in the apparatus the powder or the
substance, or the mix of substances, from which the beverage has to be
obtained, only after the desired temperature has been reached.

[0032]It is also possible to choose the temperature of the water according
to the specific beverage to be prepared and to the particular desires of
the user.

[0033]It also possible to maintain the water almost at the same
temperature during the entire infusion time.

[0034]The desired value of the temperature of the water, and the desired
infusion time, can be set by a user according to the specific beverage to
be prepared and to the particular desires of the user.

[0035]In a second aspect of the invention, it is provided a method for
obtaining beverages by infusion comprising imbibing a dose of a
substance, or of a mixing of substances, from which said beverages have
to be obtained with water at a desired temperature, and indicating the
duration of the infusion by means of an indicating device indicating that
a fixed infusion time has passed.

[0036]In a version said indicating comprises regulating the duration of
the infusion.

[0037]In a third aspect of the invention, it is provided for a timing
device provided with a hooking element arranged for hooking said timing
device to an apparatus for preparing beverages by infusion.

[0038]In a fourth aspect of the invention, it is provided for the use of a
timing device for preparing beverages by infusion.

[0039]In a fifth aspect of the invention, it is provided a base comprising
a connecting element for connecting said base to an apparatus for
preparing beverages by infusion and with a heating device for heating a
content of said apparatus.

[0040]In a version, said base comprises a programming device for
programming the functioning of the apparatus.

[0041]In a further version, said programming device comprises a
temperature regulating device for regulating the temperature of the water
in the apparatus.

[0042]In a still further version, said programming device comprises a time
regulating device for regulating the infusion time.

[0043]In another version, said base comprises an indicating device for
indicating that a preset infusion time has passed.

[0044]In a still another version, said base comprises a switch arranged
for activating/deactivating said base so as to automatically regulate the
infusion time and/or the temperature of the water in the apparatus.

[0045]In another version, said base comprises a sensing device arranged
for sensing a fixed parameter of the water in the apparatus and for
automatically activating/deactivating said base.

[0046]In a still another version said base comprises a frothing activating
device arranged for activating a frothing device provided in the
apparatus.

[0047]Owing to these aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain a
beverage having organoleptic features, or therapeutic and beneficial
effects, and desired properties.

[0048]Furthermore, owing to the invention, a user can choose from time to
time, following his particular tastes or desires, to obtain beverages
having particular desired features and, in case, to reproduce such
features in subsequent preparations of beverages.

[0049]In fact, by varying the infusion time in hot water of the various
substances from which the beverage has to be obtained, the features and
the quality of the infusion are changed, the substances being in powder
form, or minced, or packed in bags.

[0050]A too short infusion time does not enable, in fact, the aromatic
substances present in the powder, or in the bag, to be solubilized, or to
be solubilized only within certain limits. This implies that a beverage
is obtained that is not aromatic, and thus unpleasant for a user,
tasteless, and, in the case of phytotherapic preparations, a beverage
lacking in the solutes with therapeutic effects is obtained.

[0051]On the other hand, a too long infusion time makes the beverage too
strong, this can cause undesired effects on a user, and can make a
beverage rich of substances, mostly undesired, to be obtained, such
substances require long infusion time, can have unwelcome effects on the
organism of a user and would not be extracted in an optimal infusion
time.

[0052]Furthermore, even with long infusion time, a beverage with low
organoleptic features and thus unpleasant for a user is obtained.

[0053]Furthermore, too long infusion time cause a considerable fall in the
temperature of the obtained beverage, this implies a considerable drop of
the pleasantness associated to the beverage.

[0054]To overcome this last drawback, a user would heat said beverage so
getting further worse the organoleptic features thereof.

[0055]Really for the importance of the infusion time for obtaining
beverage with high organoleptic features, in the packaging of the
substances from which such beverages have to be obtained, the optimal
infusion time is specified, or such infusion time is indicated and
recommended directly by a herbalist or by a person in charge of the
preparation and of the sale of herbal and/or phytotherapic compositions
for obtaining beverages having the required effects by the user.
Nevertheless, usually, it is very difficult for a user, using the known
apparatuses to reckon such indications, and the user considers ready the
prepared beverage when it has assumed a particular coloration, or when it
occurs to the user that he has prepared a beverage and provides for
separating the substance from the hot water.

[0056]The invention will be better understood and implemented with
reference to the attached drawings that show an embodiment thereof by way
of non-limitative example in which:

[0057]FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a traditional apparatus for
obtaining coffee beverages by infusion.

[0058]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a traditional apparatus for obtaining
coffee beverages by infusion provided with a device according to the
invention;

[0059]FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned schematic view of an apparatus for
infusions provided with a device according to the invention in a possible
position thereof;

[0060]FIG. 4 is a view like the one in FIG. 3 highlighting another
possible different position of the device according to the invention;

[0061]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an apparatus for obtaining beverages
by infusion provided with a base provided with regulating and/or
indicating device.

[0062]With reference to FIG. 1, 2, 5, it is shown an apparatus 1 for
preparing a beverage by infusion, for example a coffee based beverage,
comprising a container 2 suitable for containing a preset quantity of
beverage to be prepared, the container 2 being preferably made in
transparent material, for example glass, pirex, or Plexiglas.

[0063]A handgrip 3 can be stably or movably fixed to the container 2, the
handgrip 3 being suitable for allowing the apparatus 1 to be calmly
handled even when hot water for preparing the beverage has been poured
into the container 2. The handgrip 3 preferably comprises a base portion
4 into which the container 2 is accommodated, and that is made in
insulating material so as to avoid a surface on which the apparatus 1 is
rested to be damaged.

[0064]The handgrip 3 comprises an annular portion 5 so shaped that the
container 2 can be slidably inserted therein, and a handle portion 6
interposed between the base portion 4 and the annular portion 5 and
suitable to be grasped by a user. The apparatus 1 furthermore comprises a
lid 7 provided with a covering portion 8 so shaped as to rest and to
close an upper portion of the container 2 and provided in a central zone
8a thereof with a hole 9 inside which a plunger 10 slides. At a first end
11 of the plunger 10, a filter 12 is provided and at a second end 13 of
the plunger 10, located at the opposite side in relation to the first end
11, it is provided a knob 14 suitable for making up the handgrip of the
lid 7.

[0065]The first end 11 of the plunger 10 is located, when the covering
portion 8 is resting on the container 2, inside the container 2.

[0066]A user by gripping the knob 14 can lower/raise the plunger 10 so as
to move the plunger 10 from a rest position Y, shown in FIG. 5, in which
the filter 12 is located directly under the covering portion 8, to a
filtering position X, shown in FIG. 2, in which the filter 12 is located
at the maximum possible distance from the covering portion 8 and the knob
14 is resting on an upper surface 8b of the covering portion 8, and vice
versa.

[0067]The container 2 can also be provided, as indicated in FIG. 5, with a
spout 101 for pouring the prepared beverage in suitable vessels, for
example cups, from which the user can taste the beverage.

[0068]As it is shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 can be rested on a base 16
made in insulating material and so shaped as to shapingly couple to the
base portion 4 of the handgrip 3.

[0069]In this way, it is possible, after resting the apparatus 1 on the
base 16, to position the base 16 in any desired surface, without risks of
damaging said surface.

[0070]A user desiring to prepare a beverage using the apparatus 1, will
provide at first for positioning a desired quantity of powder of the
substance from which the beverage has to be obtained, for example coffee,
on a bottom portion 15 of the container 2, therefore, he will pour hot
water, nearly boiling, on such powder, and will position the lid 7 in its
rest position on the container 2 so as to close the container 2 and to
avoid excessive heat losses to the outside.

[0071]After a certain time interval, i.e. when the user will consider the
beverage ready, he will provide to lower the plunger 10 so as to
progressively lower the filter 12 so as to bring it in contact with the
coffee powder, and to squeeze the coffee powder thus extracting the
aromatic substances therefrom, and separating it from the liquid
beverage.

[0072]To such apparatus, indicating devices can be fixed, as will be
better disclosed in the followings, for indicating the real passed
infusion time, and/or regulating devices, for example timers, for
regulating the infusion time and, thus, for obtaining beverages with
great organoleptic substances.

[0073]Keeping the plunger in the filtering position X, it would be
possible to pour out from the container 2 the obtained beverage into a
suitable vessel for tasting it.

[0074]The apparatus shown in FIG. 2, is completely analogous to that in
FIG. 1, therefore the corresponding parts have been indicated with the
same numerical references, and it is different from the apparatus in FIG.
1 for the presence of a timer 17 located on the handle portion 6 of the
apparatus 1.

[0075]The timer 17 enables to a user to set out the desired infusion time
of the coffee powder into the water, basing on his particular desires and
tastes.

[0076]The timer 17 is provided with a starting switch 18 suitable for
operating the timer 17.

[0077]In a version not shown, the timer 17 can be provided with
temperature sensors sensing the temperature in the container 2 and
automatically activating the timer 17 when a desired temperature value
has been reached, i.e. when hot water is poured into the container 2.

[0078]In another version, not shown, the timer 17 can be provided with
level sensors sensing the liquid level into the container 2 and
activating the timer 17 when a desired level value in the container 2 has
been reached, i.e. when hot water is poured into the container 2 for
preparing the beverage.

[0079]The timer 17 can be further provided with sound and/or light warning
elements, suitable for emitting a warning signal when the infusion time
previously set out by the user has been passed.

[0080]In other versions not shown, can be further provided calorimetric
sensors sensing the coloration of the beverage obtained in the apparatus,
for example by means of measurements of the transmittance of the
beverage, or can be further provided conductivity sensors that senses the
conductivity of the obtained beverage, and thus detect the concentration
of the solutes present in the beverage.

[0081]Also other sensors can be provided for sensing preset parameters of
the beverage depending on the particular solutes present into the
beverage and to their concentration. The sensor being able, following the
particular measurement made, to automatically activate/deactivate the
timer 17, or to emit a particular warning signal for the user, when the
beverage has reached desired values of the corresponding parameters
measured by the particular sensors.

[0082]In case, the timer 17 can be programmed in advance with a preset
number of infusion time corresponding to different beverages, both by the
user and by the builder.

[0083]For example, once a user has decided the particular beverage he
wants to prepare, and the particular features he desires to find the
prepared beverage, i.e. a strong beverage or a weak beverage, he can
program the timer 17, or if the timer 17 had already been programmed, can
choose the infusion time corresponding to his desires, as will be better
explained in the followings, and prepare a beverage having exactly the
desired features.

[0084]The timer 17 can be located in any suitable zone of the apparatus 1,
can be, for example fixed to the container 2, or to the lid 7, both
movably and stably. In the first case, the timer is provided with movable
hooking elements for hooking/unhooking the timer to/from the apparatus 1.

[0085]The hooking elements can be shaped according to any desired known
shape, in relation to the chosen hooking position and to the
characteristics of the apparatus 1 and/or of the timer 17. The hooking
elements can, for example comprise parts in Velcro, tongs, pliers,
elastic bands, magnets, etc.

[0086]In case in which, the timer 17 is stably fixed to the apparatus 1,
it is made so as to be not damaged during the washing of the apparatus 1.

[0087]The timer 17 can be connected to any suitable apparatus for
preparing infusions, for example the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, or a
teapot, a kettle, into which desired quantities of powder of substances
from which the beverage has to be extracted, for example directly at
inside of a strainer, pre-dosed bags, or also in a common cup into which
pre-dosed doses of substances, as coffee wafers, or bags of tea, or
camomile, or herbal infusion, etc., or also in tisane-pot, as that showed
in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0088]In this way, it is possible to obtain beverages with high
organoleptical features even using known apparatuses.

[0089]The afore described apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for
obtaining coffee based beverages starting from coffee powder, but the
above drafted considerations may be equally applied to apparatuses
working with pre-dosed quantities of substances from which beverages have
to be obtained, for example single-dose tea and/or camomile bags.

[0090]Apparatus 1 can be further provided with a chamber arrangement for
conserving the temperature inside the apparatus, so as to keep the
temperature of the beverage substantially constant even for a long time,
and, thus to allow a user to prolong the tasting of the beverage.

[0091]The apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5, is almost analogous to that in
FIG. 2, therefore the corresponding parts have been indicated with the
same numerical references.

[0092]The apparatus 100 comprises a base 102 shaped as to shapingly
coupling with the container 2.

[0093]In case, the base 102 can be provided in a surface zone thereof
arranged to receive the container 2, with a coupling element, shaped as
to shapingly coupling with a respective coupling element provided on the
container 2, so to improve the coupling between the base 102 and the
container 2.

[0094]The base 102 is provided with a heating device 103, schematically
indicated in FIG. 5, for example a resistance, arranged for heating the
water in the container 2, and with a connecting element for connecting
the base 102 to the electric network for activating the resistance.

[0095]The resistance can be shaped in any suitable manner so as to obtain
an efficient heating of the water in the container 2. The heating device
103 may be preferably provided in a zone of the base 102 arranged to go
in use in contact with the container 2, so as to improve the heat
transfer from the heating device 103 to the water.

[0096]As shown in FIG. 5, the heating device 103 is provided in an upper
zone of the base 102 so as to speed up the heating of the water in the
container 2.

[0097]In a version not shown, the base 102, can be shaped so as to
partially envelop a side surface 110 of the container 2, so as to widen
the surface of the container 2 through which the heat is transferred from
the heating device 103 to the water in the container 2.

[0098]The base 102, further comprises a controlling arrangement 111
arranged for controlling and programming the functioning of the apparatus
100.

[0100]The indicating devices 112 comprise a timer 117 arranged for
indicating the real infusion time, and/or for regulating the infusion
time, a temperature controlling device 118 for controlling the
temperature of the water in the container 2, and a frothing controlling
device 119 for controlling a magnetic stirrer 104 for frothing the
beverage in the container 2 for producing foam.

[0101]Using the timer 117, a user can program the desired infusion time
depending on the particular beverage to be prepared, and/or the desired
features of the beverage, and/or his particular tastes, and then activate
the timer 117 so that the remaining infusion time and/or the passed
infusion time could be indicated.

[0102]The timer 117 can be provided with a warning element arranged for
warning a user that a preset interval of time has passed.

[0103]The base 102 can be also provided with a central unit, in which a
certain number of infusion times can be stored, by the user or by a
builder, so that a user desiring to prepare a beverage can choose the
relevant stored infusion time and thus activate the timer 117.

[0104]The frothing controlling device 119 controls and drives a magnetic
stirrer 104 for frothing the beverage in the container 2 for producing
foam.

[0105]The magnetic stirrer 104 comprises a stirrer 105, located on a
bottom part 106 of the container 2 so as to be at least partly immersed
into the water, and a driving part provided into the base 102, and thus
not shown, arranged for driving the stirrer 105 so as to move it into the
beverage for producing foam.

[0106]In versions not shown, frothing devices of different type can also
be used, for example a whisk driven by an electrical motor.

[0107]The container 2 could be devoid of at least a portion of the bottom
part and so shaped as to tightly coupling to the base 102.

[0108]The frothing device may be provided on an upper part of the base
102, so that when the container 2 is tightly coupled to the base 2, the
frothing device is at least partly immersed in the liquid in the
container 2.

[0109]Thereafter the frothing device can be activated for frothing the
liquid in the container 2 so producing foam.

[0110]The tight connection between the base 102 and the container 2 allows
no leakages of liquid from the container 2 to occur.

[0111]The temperature controlling device 118 controls the temperature of
the water in the container 2, and it is provided with a temperature
indicating element arranged for indicating the actual value of the
temperature of the water and/or of the beverage in the container 2.

[0112]In this way, it is possible to switch on the apparatus 100 so as to
activate the heating device 103 for heating the water in the container 2,
and to pour in the container 2 the substance from which the beverage has
to be obtained only when the desired infusion temperature has been
reached.

[0113]The temperature controlling device 118 is connected with temperature
sensors arranged for sensing the temperature of the water, so as to
activate/deactivate the heating device 103.

[0114]Therefore, it is possible to automatically switch off the heating
device 103 when the desired infusion temperature has been reached, and it
is also possible to act on the heating device 103 so as to
activate/deactivate the heating device 103 for keeping almost constant
the temperature of the water in the container 2 for the entire infusion
time.

[0115]In a version, the temperature controlling device 118 acts directly
on the heating device 103 without the presence of the temperature
sensors, so as to activate/deactivate the heating device basing on preset
functioning values.

[0116]A user can program the desired infusion temperature depending on the
particular beverage to be prepared, and/or the desired features of the
beverage, and/or his particular tastes, and then activate the temperature
controlling device 118 so that the heating device 103 can correspondingly
be activated/deactivated.

[0117]If the base 102 is provided with a central unit, a certain number of
infusion temperatures can be stored therein, by the user or by a builder,
so that a user desiring to prepare a beverage can choose the relevant
stored infusion temperature and thus activate the temperature controlling
device 118.

[0118]The base 102 con also be provided with a display on which the stored
features, i.e. temperature, infusion time, etc., can be shown.

[0119]In the central unit can also be stored for a certain number of
different beverages the desired value of particular parameters such as
the optimal quantity of powder to be used, the optimal infusion
temperature, the optimal infusion time, and the optimal quantity of water
to pour in the container 2, as shown in the following table 1 by way of
non-limitative example, for various tea blends.

[0120]Obviously similar table can be prepared also for different kind of
beverages, for example for coffee beverages obtained with different
blends, and/or with different features (strong coffee, weak coffee,
etc.).

[0121]Optimal infusion time can be stored for obtaining weak coffee
beverage and/or strong coffee beverage, for example a 2 min value for the
infusion time for a weak coffee beverage and 4 min value for the infusion
time for a strong coffee beverage.

[0122]The afore mentioned parameters can be stored in the central unit of
the apparatus 100, for the various beverages, by the builders of the
apparatus 100, or also directly by the user. It is also possible to store
in the central unit the values of the afore mentioned parameters both for
weak and medium and strong beverage, so that a user can always from time
to time, for each kind of beverage he desires to prepare, to obtain
exactly the beverage he desires.

[0123]The user can also store in the central unit the parameters for
obtaining preferred beverages.

[0124]A selecting device can be provided in the base 102, for
automatically select a particular beverage to be obtained amongst the
stored beverages and to correspondingly program the controlling
arrangement 111.

[0125]A quick selecting device can be provided in the base 102, for
automatically and quickly select a particular preferred beverage to be
obtained amongst the preferred stored beverages.

[0126]A user desiring to prepare a certain beverage, with particular
features, has only to look for such beverage amongst the stored beverages
and to choose the corresponding string of values so as to correspondingly
program the apparatus 100.

[0127]Obviously, in the controlling arrangement 111, the temperature
controlling device 118 and the timer 117 can be used simultaneously, so
that a better control of the functioning of the apparatus 100 can be
reached.

[0128]Using the apparatuses 1, 100 according to the invention beverages
with high organoleptical feature can be obtained.

[0129]The apparatus 1, 100 can be further shaped in any desired manner
decided on aesthetical or design's choices, in particular the container 2
can be made in non transparent material.

[0130]In the latter case, using an indicating device becomes particularly
important because otherwise it would be impossible for a user to evaluate
the features of the prepared beverage.

[0131]The tisane-pot 20 in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a cup 21 into which hot
water is poured for preparing the beverage, a strainer 22 shaped so as an
upper portion thereof 23 rests on an edge 24 of the tisane-pot, and so as
that in use the strainer is located inside the cup 21, and arranged for
receiving a desired quantity Q of herbal, phytotherapic preparations. The
tisane-pot 20 comprises a lid 25 suitable for closing the cup 21 during
the infusion of the phytotherapic preparations, and a handle 26 suitable
for allowing the tisane-pot 20 to be handled even when the cup 21, and in
particular the outer surface 27 thereof reaches high temperatures due to
the presence of hot water into the cup 21.

[0132]To the tisane-pot 20 can be fixed in a stable or movable manner, a
timer 17, in any suitable desired zone, for example on the handle 26, as
indicated by the arrows F, or on any zone Z of the pouter surface of the
cup 21.